Dear Friends:

Many of you have probably heard that we’re investigating the viability of opening a medical school at UIW.

The question I’ve been asked repeatedly since this process began last summer is, “Why?” It’s true that starting a medical school from scratch is an intricate and highly expensive proposition. It’s fair to say that if we do open a medical school, it would be the most complex task most of us have ever undertaken at UIW.

Why, then, are we even considering a medical school? The answer is rooted in our 132-year history. In other words, “Mission drives vision.”

From early on, health care has been an integral part of Incarnate Word. For example, we have the oldest accredited nursing program west of the Mississippi River, and today, UIW nurses are found throughout Bexar County in hospitals, clinics and in many other settings.

During the last decade, we’ve developed the most comprehensive academic health care programs of any private university in Texas through the addition of doctoral programs in pharmacy, optometry, nursing and physical therapy. Plus, we launched the world’s first center devoted to medical tourism research, something of growing importance given our proximity to Mexico. And we’re looking at starting a physician assistant program in the near future.

In fact, our health care programs have expanded to the point that we’re in the process of bringing them together under a separate UIW Health Science Center.

A medical school would be a natural extension of our health care programs.

There’s currently just one private medical school in the southwestern U.S., the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (which hasn’t been affiliated with Baylor University since 1969). A UIW medical school would be the only one in our part of the country located at a faith-based university. Its focus would likely be on two areas of critical need in San Antonio and South Texas – pediatric and emergency care.

Opening a medical school would also allow us to meet another important part of our mission – providing access and opportunities to populations historically underserved by higher education. Sadly, Hispanics and African Americans are severely underrepresented as physicians in the U.S., much like they are in just about every other health care field. The students of a UIW medical school would reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Texas, where Hispanics and African Americans now make-up about half of the state’s population.

We’ll keep you posted on whether a medical school ends up being a fit for UIW.

In the meantime, let me close by taking this opportunity to bid farewell to Board members Alan Dreeben and Fully Clingman, who stepped down as active Trustees and have moved to Emeriti status. Both have been exemplary Trustees in their advocacy of UIW, and have also been instrumental in all that we’ve accomplished in the last few years. Please join me in thanking them for their outstanding service, although I reminded them they’ll always be on speed dial.

I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to catch-up on what else has been happening at Incarnate Word, including a profile on Board of Trustees member Joe Reyes.

Please remember, it’s because of your commitment to our community that we can continue fulfilling UIW’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith. An investment in higher education is something that will yield returns for a lifetime for you, your family and our community.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout 2013.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

President

I’m pleased to welcome you to the 2012 donor’s issue of The Word, our way of saying “Thank You” to the many special people from around the world that contribute to the continued betterment of the University of the Incarnate Word.

The past year has been one of the busiest in our long history, particularly the last few months.

The biggest news is that our bid to join the Division I Southland Conference was accepted in August. The move to Division 1, which will officially take place in July, is one of the most important events in our 131-year history, up there with our transition from Incarnate Word College to University of the Incarnate Word in 1996.

The decision to leave Division II for Division I was made for several reasons. Primarily it’s to increase our overall brand recognition by extending awareness of UIW beyond our South Texas home base.

Let me give you an example. The Southland story was carried by more than 70 print, broadcast and online news outlets across the United States, from Connecticut to Hawaii and many points in between. It reached four of the Top 10 media markets and nine of the Top 21.

While the story was extensively covered in San Antonio, it was also carried by national media such as ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, the Chicago Tribune, and Sports Illustrated. Plus, it was picked up by several TV stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth market and other farther away locales such as Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota and the D.C.-metro area.

We conservatively estimate that a comparable ad buy covering all of the markets that carried the story would’ve cost us at least $1 million, and probably closer to $2 million. In other words, the move is already paying dividends for us, and more importantly, our students. They stand to benefit the most because the increased visibility of UIW will allow them to continue building equity in their degrees as the university becomes better known outside of South Texas.

By the way, you may have already noticed an increased usage of the “UIW” acronym in our promotional materials. That was the first recommendation we implemented from a communications agency we contracted to help us extend UIW’s brand statewide, nationally and internationally.

We reached another important milestone this fall by topping the 9,000-mark in enrollment for the first time (9,188 students). This makes UIW one of just four private universities in Texas with enrollments of at least 9,000 students. Based on past enrollment trends, it’s likely that next year UIW will become the third largest private university in Texas.

A closer look at the numbers shows UIW has the greatest number of Hispanic students of any private university in Texas, a figure that’s higher than the combined total of the next two schools. We’re also No.1 nationally among faith-based universities in the conferring of bachelor’s degrees to Hispanics, and No.3 among all private, not-for-profit universities. These are important figures because they illustrate we’re meeting our Mission of providing academic opportunities to groups historically underserved by higher education (sadly, college attainment by Hispanics remains low statewide and nationally).

In August we broke ground on the East Side Clinic, a project that will allow us to extend our ministry into one of the most impoverished areas of San Antonio. The $8 million clinic, which will be completed next spring, will offer several health-care services such as optometry and nursing. Unlike many of our projects, this was accomplished without corporate support. Instead, it’s an initiative between UIW, foundations, and the public sector.

I encourage you to read the rest of The Word for additional details on the many exciting things that are happening at UIW. As you do, please remember the momentum generated by your generous support – whether for the East Clinic, the new school of physical therapy or our move to Division I – is what allows us to continue fulfilling our goal of offering students top-notch educational opportunities within a context of faith. Your steadfast support is also what allows UIW to continue having a positive impact on San Antonio and South Texas.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones for the remainder of 2012.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D., President

You will be pleased to know that we completed another highly successful year at UIW in May. We ended the year on a very positive note due to two events: our first-ever undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Freeman Coliseum (located next to the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs) and the groundbreaking for our newest sports facility.

Early in May, more than 5,000 friends and family members gathered to watch as 424 students received their bachelor’s degrees during a procession featuring all of the traditional pomp found in the campus ceremonies.  By the way, as a measure of how much our institution has grown in the last decade, just 218 students received their undergraduate degrees from UIW in the spring of 2000.

In mid-May we broke ground for a Fencing and International Sports Center that will be located at St. Anthony Catholic High School, which we own and operate.  The $3 million fencing center will be a multi-purpose facility that will provide new opportunities for high school and college students interested in this sport.  The expected completion date for the center is January of 2013.

Looking ahead to the fall, we expect to set another enrollment record.  Early indications are that we’ll surpass 9,000 students for the first time in our 131-year history.  That’s nearly seven times our enrollment from 1985.  We’re also expecting a record enrollment at our campus in Mexico City, which now offers several new degrees, including an MBA and a master’s in education.

We should reach another significant milestone this fall when our endowment exceeds the $100 million mark for the first time.  That’s an increase from about $3 million in 1985.

In August, we’ll dedicate our two newest locations.  The Debbie and Naty Saidoff Center, located in the northwest part of the city, will house our new School of Physical Therapy and an additional ADCaP site (the Saidoff Center will be our sixth location in San Antonio).  Meanwhile, our newest international location will be in Heidelberg, Germany, a historic city of about 140,000 people that has been home to more than 50 Nobel laureates.

I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to catch-up on what else has been happening at the University of the Incarnate Word.  Included is a profile on Board member Michael Belz, who is president of Catholic Life Insurance, and a feature on Dr. Andrew Buzzelli, dean of the Rosenberg School of Optometry who was chosen Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association.

Remember, it’s because of your commitment to our community that we can continue fulfilling Incarnate Word’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith.  Please remember an investment in higher education is something that will yield returns for a lifetime for you, your family and our community.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout the remainder of the summer.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

President

The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity at the University of the Incarnate Word, much of it centered on our efforts to increase the visibility of the UIW brand.

In January, a university delegation that included several members of the Board of Trustees met with officials from the Southland Conference regarding our interest in becoming a member. Joining the Southland, which is a Division 1 conference, would be a significant step toward increasing our profile not just in Texas, but also nationally.

In early February, we announced the development of a Fencing and International Sports Center that will serve as the premier fencing facility in the region. The center will be utilized for many fencing-related activities and competitions. It’ll also allow us to develop an NCAA fencing program, which will provide new opportunities for local students who’d like to get involved in collegiate fencing but don’t want to leave San Antonio to do so.

The fencing center will be built using a $2 million grant we received from the Bexar County Community Venues Office, to which we’ll add another $1 million, and will be constructed on the grounds of St. Anthony Catholic High School, which is owned and operated by UIW.

These efforts are critical to our long-range goal of growing into the largest private university in Texas by the end of this decade, something that will provide greater access to those individuals seeking an Incarnate Word education, particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in higher education.

Hispanics, for example, comprise about 16 percent of the population of the United States and 38 percent in Texas (Hispanics are the largest minority group in both). Yet only about 14 percent of the country’s Hispanics who are 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree. Let me put these figures in the context of what we’re doing at Incarnate Word: as was reported last year, we’re No. 1 nationally among faith-based universities in the conferring of bachelor’s degrees to Hispanics and No. 2 among all private universities in the country.

With our continued growth – the enrollment has more than doubled in the last ten years and there are more employees now than there were full-time students in 1985 – it’s important that the UIW brand be as recognizable in places like Dallas and Houston as it is in South Texas.

The enhanced name-recognition will make our graduates more attractive to potential employers, especially to those located outside of South Texas, a serious consideration in these tough economic times. This will also lead to an increase in the admission standards, making that process much more competitive. Over time, both of these factors will have the effect of building additional equity in UIW degrees.

I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to catch-up on what else has been happening at Incarnate Word, including a profile on long-time benefactor Gayle Benson (the football stadium is named after Gayle and her husband, Tom).

Remember, it’s because of your commitment to our community that we can continue fulfilling Incarnate Word’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith. Please remember an investment in higher education is something that will yield returns for a lifetime for you, your family and our community.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout 2012.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

President

I’m pleased to welcome you to the annual donor’s issue of The Word, our way of saying “Thank You” to the many special people that contribute to the continued betterment of the University of the Incarnate Word.

Looking back, this was a record-setting year like no other, and one that illustrates the importance of momentum and synergy.

In December, we received an $11.5 million gift from Stanley and Sandra Rosenberg, the largest in UIW history. This gift had national ramifications, as it was also one of the biggest by Jewish philanthropists to a Catholic university in recent years.

A few months later, a Jewish family from Los Angeles heard about the Rosenbergs’ generosity.  They contacted us about making their own gift to UIW – an empty Albertson’s store in the Westover Hills area. As we’ve long wanted to establish a presence in the northwest part of the city, we readily accepted the unexpected multi-million dollar gift from Debbie and Naty Saidoff.

The building, and the surrounding land, will become the future home of the UIW School of Physical Therapy. It will also provide us with a new, strategically-placed ADCaP location that’s about two miles from SeaWorld and Northwest Vista College.

Another well-timed gift this past year came from John and Vladimira Miller. This gift helped upgrade and expand the School of Nursing and Health Professions through the addition of a much needed floor (we also launched a doctoral degree in nursing practice this fall). In honor of the Millers’ generosity, the school was named after John’s mother, Ila Faye Miller, who was a nurse.

In late summer, we were selected as one of the Great Colleges to Work for by “The Chronicle of Higher Education”, the third consecutive year we’ve received this prestigious recognition. We also made the national Top 10 Honor Roll in the medium-size category. Only one other university from Texas was chosen in the national Top 10 in our size category.

At about the same time, a news article from “The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Maga- zine” showed that UIW was tops nationally in 2010 among faith-based universities in graduating Hispanics with bachelor’s degrees and No. 2 nationally among all private universities. These are important rankings given our student demographics and because Hispanics continue to be severely underrepresented in higher education at a time when they are the largest minority group in the U.S. and Texas.

The fall semester opened with more good news. For the first time in history, we surpassed the 8,000-mark in student enrollment. Our global enrollment increased by 10 percent from last year to 8,455 students in 2011 (from a record 67 countries). The enrollment has more than doubled since 2000, and UIW is now one of only four private universities in Texas with over 8,000 students.

The Mexico City campus also set an enrollment record, with 600 students representing eleven countries. To give you a bit of context, the Mexico campus had four students when it opened in 2003; three of them left within a few months while the fourth transferred to San Antonio. In fact, there are almost as many students at the Mexico City campus today as there were full-time students at Incarnate Word in 1985.

In late September, we received the two largest competitive grants in UIW history, totaling almost $9 million. The grants will be instrumental in our efforts to increase retention and graduation, both of which have shown considerable improvements in the last three years. Along those lines, we were happy to learn that UIW placed the highest number of student-athletes – 123 – on the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll for academic performance. That number put us atop of the sixteen schools in the tri-state conference.

I encourage you to read the rest of The Word for additional details on the many exciting things happening at UIW. As you do so, please remember the momentum generated by your support is what allows us to continue fulfilling our goal of offering students top-notch educational opportunities within a context of faith.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones for the remainder of 2011.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

President

In celebrating my 25 years as UIW president over the past 12 months, I’ve often been reminded of just how blessed I am to be a member of this special community.

One of these times occurred during my re-inauguration at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word on March 25, Incarnate Word Day, which was also the date of my inauguration a quarter century ago. In scanning the crowd, I was struck by the number of familiar faces that were here in 1986, many of whom have played key roles in guiding the University of the Incarnate Word to unprecedented heights of success.

I was also struck by the changes to UIW, both in the size of the facilities and more importantly, the people. For instance, stroll the campus today and you’re likely to bump into a student from one of the more than 60 countries represented at UIW.

In two and a half decades, we’ve established a powerful, well-known brand in our home base of San Antonio. Our vision for the future is for the UIW brand to be equally known statewide, nationally and internationally.

Looking ahead, we’re in a position to grow into one of the two largest private universities in Texas by 2020. Some people think this is a pipe dream on my part. As a result, I’ve heard the same question I was asked in 1986 when we were one of the smallest private colleges in the state: Is this possible? You bet. Look at our track record.

This fall, for example, UIW will become one of only four private universities in Texas with at least 8,000 students. And we continue anticipating the needs of the educational marketplace through the development of innovative academic programs, such as our new doctoral degrees in nursing and physical therapy.

The other question I’m regularly asked: Why is growth important to us?

Growth provides access and opens doors. It allows us to keep building upon the legacy established by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word when they founded this educational ministry in 1881. Part of this legacy is to make it possible for people who want to attain an Incarnate Word education to do so, whether it’s online, in ADCaP or at our campuses in China, Mexico and Texas. Continued access in the future will keep us linked to our heritage.

I’ve also been asked numerous times during the past 12 months how it feels to have had the vision to take a chance on Incarnate Word 25 years ago. Truth be told, it was actually the Congregation that had the vision (and courage) to take a chance on an untried 33-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, to run the college.

Please accept my thanks for your commitment to our community. Your support allows us to continue fulfilling Incarnate Word’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout the remainder of the summer.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

I am pleased to offer this message in recognition of Dr. Louis Agnese’s 25th anniversary as president of the University of the Incarnate Word. I’ve known Lou for many years as a member of the Board of Trustees, which I’m currently privileged to chair.

It’s nearly impossible to list everything Lou has accomplished during his presidency. The sum result is that under his leadership, Incarnate Word has forever transformed the educational landscape in South Texas. During his 25 years, UIW has evolved from a small private college with an uncertain future into a financially robust institution that’s one of the largest private universities in Texas.

What’s also remarkable is that he has done so by holding fast to the Mission and values established by the university’s founding congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. As Lou is fond of saying, “Mission always drives vision. Faith is at the core of everything we do as an educational ministry.”

Thousands of students, many of them first generation, have attained a college education that’s allowed them a chance at a better life. This has had a considerable impact on San Antonio and Bexar County. Today, Incarnate Word graduates contribute to the improvement of our region in myriad ways. They can be found in every segment of the regional workforce, whether in leadership positions in the private sector or positions of responsibility in the public sector.

Particularly noteworthy is the increase in the minority student enrollment. UIW now more accurately reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of San Antonio, Bexar County and Texas. For example, the African-American student enrollment has increased from approximately 1 percent to 7 percent and the Hispanic enrollment has increased from 32 percent to nearly 55 percent. In fact, UIW has the largest number of Hispanic students of any private university in Texas. The latter reflects the ongoing demographic changes in Texas, where 38 percent of the population is Hispanic.

The enrollment increase has been fueled by an unprecedented expansion in academic programs. Twenty five years ago, there were 56 majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels, but no doctoral programs. A quarter century later, there are about 80 majors, including a Ph.D. in education, two professional doctoral programs and a recently approved doctorate in nursing practice.

A doctoral degree in physical therapy will be offered next year.

However, the academic expansion would’ve been impossible without a solid financial foundation.

During Lou’s presidency, the endowment has increased from $3 million to more than $80 million. The Board of Trustees was reconfigured into a body capable of making substantial financial contributions, something those of us who serve on the board know firsthand.

The physical facilities have skyrocketed from 400,000 square feet in 1985 to nearly 2.5 million in 2011, an increase consistent with the enrollment growth of more than 500 percent in that time. Incarnate Word’s footprint has expanded to several sites in San Antonio, including a 220,000-square-foot building near the Medical Center that’s home to the Rosenberg School of Optometry. UIW also operates sites in Corpus Christi; Guangzhou, China; and Mexico City, Mexico.

Just as impressive is the university’s economic impact on San Antonio. For instance, it’s conservatively estimated that the optometry and pharmacy programs will, by themselves, inject nearly half a billion dollars into the local economy over the next 10 years.

Despite the tremendous growth and change that Incarnate Word has undergone since 1985, UIW’s identity as a Catholic university is as strong today as it was when Lou became president. It’s heartening to know that in a fast moving world, Incarnate Word retains the ideals and traditions set forth by the congregation that make UIW such a special place and an integral part of San Antonio.

The above is supported by regular positive feedback from students, employees, board members, the external community and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

I congratulate Lou on an extraordinary 25 years at the University of the Incarnate Word. On behalf of the board, students, employees and the congregation, I wish him every success as he begins the next chapter of his presidency.

Sincerely,
Charles Amato, Chairman
UIW Board of Trustees

Anniversaries allow us to mark milestones in our lives.  They can also serve as opportunities to look back on what’s been accomplished and how much remains ahead.  My 25th anniversary this year as president of Incarnate Word offers me a chance for both.

When I became president of what was then Incarnate Word College in 1985, it was at a financial crossroads. With an enrollment of just under 1,300 students, it was one of the smallest private universities in Texas. The endowment was $1 million. The budget was $8 million. Combined giving by the Board of Trustees was $5,000 annually.

Instead of being recognized for its many outstanding academic programs, Incarnate Word was best known for its location, next to the old Earl Abel’s restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Hildebrand.

Not surprisingly, I’ve often been asked, “Why did you accept the job?”

Right from my first interview, when I was just 33, I saw lots of untapped potential. Yes, the presidency represented an immense challenge to me and my family, but it was also full of possibilities for what would soon be known as The College. It was an opportunity to revive a 104-year-old institution that was a vital part of San Antonio’s history. It wouldn’t be easy. And we had limited time for a turnaround to keep the venerable landmark open.

The first five years of my presidency laid the groundwork for the present. Recently termed “controlled chaos” by one of my assistants, those years were frequently exciting and never boring in their heady blend of success and frustration, often equally, as we moved The College forward.

Through the hard work of a talented team of faculty members, employees, trustees and members of the Congregation, the situation began improving in 18 months. Enrollment increased.

We reconfigured the board to include individuals capable of providing substantial financial support. Our new-found financial stability allowed the endowment to grow.

Today, the Mission keeps us linked to our heritage. Yet, the UIW of the 21st century bears little resemblance to the small college of yesteryear. The facilities have increased from 400,000square feet to more than 2.2 million. Student financial assistance, which was less than $500,000 in 1985, has increased to a mind-boggling $100 million. The endowment is $78 million. The budget is more than $160 million.

In 1985, we offered 56 fields of study at the undergraduate and master’s levels. Now there are nearly 80, including a Ph.D. in education, professional doctoral degrees in pharmacy and optometry, and a new doctoral program in physical therapy.

Our enrollment has increased from 1,298 students in 1985 to 7,708 this year, and the students reflect San Antonio’s racial and ethnic tapestry. International students from more than 60 countries make up nearly 14 percent of the enrollment; only two private universities in Texas have more international students.

In the past quarter century, UIW has grown into the largest Catholic university in the Southwest and the fourth largest private college in Texas. And we’re not done.

With the UIW brand firmly established in South Texas, our goal this decade is to expand it statewide, nationally and internationally. Four factors will allow us to accomplish this:

1) The student demographics already reflect the Texas of tomorrow.
2) The addition of football makes it possible for us to one day join the NCAA’s top athletic tier, Division I.
3) The success of our online programs will allow us to tap into new national and international markets.
4) Our campuses in China and Mexico, along with our 90-plus sister school relationships give us a strong global presence in more than 30 countries.

To achieve our goals, the ongoing vision needs consistency of leadership. It provides our community with a sense of comfort in uncertain times. Our employees agree. For the second consecutive year, UIW made the national Top 10 in the medium-sized category – universities with enrollments between 3,000 and 9,999 – of the annual Great Colleges to Work For survey conducted by “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” Eight individual categories received special recognition, including “Confidence in Senior Leadership.” That’s why I’m committing the next 10 years to UIW.

I encourage you to read the rest of The Word. This is our annual donor’s issue, our way of saying “Thank you” to the special people who contribute to the continued betterment of UIW.

Your generosity allows us to fulfill our goal of offering the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith.

Finally, let me share with you the following comments from a letter I received several months ago from Sr. Cecilia Bush, who is a former president of my undergraduate alma mater, St. Mary of the Plains College in Kansas. “… Your Mission is a living and vibrant reality rather than a set of abstract ideas or mere words. The University of the Incarnate Word really means the university dedicated to the way of Jesus, the Word of God living among us.”

Special blessings on you and your loved ones for the remainder of 2010.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.
President

Louis J. Agnese Jr, Ph.D.

Dear Friends:

How time flies! Just four years ago, we ushered in a new era of healthcare in San Antonio with the opening of the Feik School of Pharmacy. At a memorable ceremony in the fall of 2006 symbolizing their commitment to the pharmacy profession, that inaugural group of students donned white coats amid high hopes and expectations for themselves, their families, the university and especially South Texas, which has long had an acute shortage of pharmacists.

The fruits of their labor materialized with the program’s first graduation in May, when 67 students received their doctoral degrees in pharmacy. With annual starting salaries often over $100,000, the graduates will have their pick of jobs within the pharmaceutical profession.

What’s also notable about the first graduating class is that in a profession that’s historically had few practitioners from racial or ethnic minority groups, 69 percent of the pharmacy graduates are Hispanic, African American and Asian American, representative of what we refer to at UIW as the Texas of Today and Tomorrow. This is an important distinction for Texas in the 21st century, as it’s now one of four states in the country where minorities are the majority population.

Perhaps the best news of all is that the graduation of the first class allowed the pharmacy program to gain full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Many people, both at UIW and in the external community, deserve credit for the success of the pharmacy program. Let me recognize three who were particularly instrumental: Dr. Terry Dicianna, our retired chancellor whose initial investigation made it possible for us to move forward with a pharmacy program; John Feik, the school’s namesake whose generosity allowed us to construct a state-of-the-art facility; and last but definitely not least, the school’s founding dean, Dr. Arcelia Johnson-Fannin. Her tireless efforts were crucial in allowing us to develop a first-class program in tune with our Mission of offering educational opportunities to populations historically underserved by higher education.

I encourage you to read the rest of The Word for more on the pharmacy graduation and other recent news and events at UIW.  These include details on the expansion of Benson Stadium and a feature on Marcos Fragoso, who succeeded Dr. Pat Watkins as vice president for International Affairs in June when she retired after an impressive career spanning more than two decades at UIW.

The first graduates of the Feik School of Pharmacy illustrate something in which I firmly believe – that even during the most difficult of economic times, an investment in higher education will always yield a return. So please accept my thanks for your commitment to our community. It’s this support that allows us to continue fulfilling Incarnate Word’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout the remainder of the summer.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.
President

Louis J. Agnese Jr, Ph.D.

Dear Friends:

This issue of The Word features a cover story on one of the signature events at the University of the Incarnate Word: the annual Cutting Edge Fiesta® Fashion Show, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

While the Cutting Edge has evolved into a highly successful production, it’s worth remembering that it and our fashion program nearly folded about 20 years ago because of a lack of interest. In fact, fewer than a dozen students were enrolled in the program back then and it was in danger of disappearing in the way of big hair and shoulder pads.

Fortunately, both were saved in the early 1990s with the help of Dr. Annemarie Walsh, who retired from UIW three years ago. Her drive resuscitated the fashion program by injecting it with badly needed energy and professionalism. That fueled a renaissance of the Cutting Edge Fashion Show, which has since evolved into one of the most anticipated events of San Antonio’s Fiesta® season, regularly drawing hundreds of spectators to the student-produced show.

Today, more than 200 students are enrolled in our fashion program, which has been guided by Dr. Sharon Welkey since 2008. (By the way, Welkey was recently selected as the new dean of the UIW School of Interactive Media & Design.) Not surprisingly, it consistently ranks in the top 10 of our most popular academic programs.

Speaking of retirement, Dr. Pat Watkins, vice president of International Affairs, will be stepping down from that position at the end of May. Watkins has served our community in various capacities during her more than 20 years, always with passion and humor. The international affairs division, including our campuses in China and Mexico, has flourished under her leadership, which is a key reason why international students now comprise nearly 13 percent of UIW’s overall enrollment, an all-time high for us.

We’ll miss her when she retires, but she’s isn’t leaving UIW just yet. You’ll see her around campus during the next year, as she will be handling special projects associated with two events our community will celebrate in 2011: UIW’s 130th anniversary and my 25th anniversary as president. By the way, her successor as vice president of International Affairs will be Marcos Fragoso, who for the past few years has served as director of our Mexico City campus. You’ll be able to learn more about him in the summer issue of The Word.

I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to catch up on what else has been happening at UIW, including a profile on longtime benefactors Tena and Jim Gorman.  Remember, it’s because of your commitment to our community that we can continue fulfilling Incarnate Word’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith.

In these continuing difficult economic times, please remember that an investment in higher education is something that will yield returns for a lifetime for you, your family and our community.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout 2010.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.
President